New-York tribune., 1887-11-21
~ DpIA OEINIION

"The Baltimore sun" Secretary BayardS
fayoiitc organ. announces that the Bchring sea
controversy is practically closed. \ few months
ago the question was apparently an open one,
since United States revenue cutter was sclling
British and American sealing vessels of the
coast Of Alaska and the Alcuian Islands under
authority conferred by the Treasury Depart
mcnt. These vessel, were taken into port at
Silka and proceedings were begun for their
condemnation for violations OF the Revised Stat
uics in waters over which the Government had
acquired jurisdiction by treaty with Russia.
Whatever may have been Secretary BayaIds
view Of these cases. it was not shared by the
head Of the Treasury Department nor by the
Attorney-G General. They had authorized the
seizures and legal proceedings and in this way
rcopcncd the question which Secretary Bayard
had sought to close last winter by an lgn0mln-
ious surrender Of American rights.
Why is the Sccrctary's recognized organ
moved 10 declare that the Bchrng Sea question
has been closed? II has received copies Of th"
Canadian luc-bookS showing that the seizure
Of three British vessels in 1856 was Vigorously
resented by the British Government. and that
the State Department after series Of dilatory
dispatches finally announced on February s..
1887 that by the Presidents order legal pro
cccdings had been discontinued and the Scaicrs
released This was what "scttlcd" the con
trovcrsy so abruptiy-oilicial Literature from
Ottawa. The organ explains the seizures or
1886 as effected through the excessive IN
fucnce Of the Alaska Commercial Company
with the revenue marine and courts. There
was neither treaty authority nor international
law by which these acts could be justified ::
Secretary Boutwell, had distinctly admitted in
1872 the absence Of jurisdiction in those
waters and Mr.. Adams in 1923 had vigorously
demonstrated against RusSia's exclusive claims.
All these conclusions the Sccrctarys personal
q gan repeats on the authority Of the Canadian
books and then with an cX cathc lri ar
pronOunccs that America has no case and tlat
the Bchring Sea controversy is closed. II this
be true what have the revenue cutters and
courts been doing during the past season? If
the Administration discovered last February
that the previous seizures were unJuStiliaD'c
and that there was 4 lack Of jurisdiction over
the waters Of Bchrlng Sea. why were these
offences against international law repeated dur
ing juno July and August?
If "Thc baltimore sun" and the frcc-tladc
journals Of this town prefer To take thcT cues
IN dip,omacy from the Canadian blue books. it
i, not our affair, although we marvel at their
faulty in referring to Secretary Bout
WtIrs order rs decisive III this matter when II
was subsequently, ovcrrulcd by the Department
a, inconsistent with the statutes and the treaty
Of ccssiGn. Let them make indecent haste, II
they VIII. TO applaud an abjcct surrender OF
American rights is soon as an alio CAN'T rhll
icngc Is issued from l.'n!on or Ottawa Bul
have they not the wit to perceive that the Ad
niinistration has authorized this season II rcpc-
tti0n Of last year sClIurcS? According l.
their explanations the Administration has de-
sanctioned illcgai proceedings Tins
year which were known last February to hc
contrary to the principles of international law
From this class Of maladroit defenders the